Crossword Genius

Test only three-fifths of the car? (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mot

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'test' is the definition.
(MOT test)

'only three-fifths of the car?' is the wordplay.
'only three fifths of' becomes 'mo' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'the car?' becomes 't'.
'mo'+'t'='MOT'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for mot that I've seen before include "Vehicle check" , "witty remark" , "Word in France, bon perhaps" , "Irish girlfriend" , "Witty saying" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app